Turf-Irrigation Sprinkler Problems

Design Problems

• The University of Florida IFAS Extension's guide to turfgrass irrigation systems cites design problems as some of the most common problems encountered by those using sprinkler systems. Spacing and pressure are two of the most important design problems avoided in any well-designed sprinkler system. If sprinkler heads are spaced too far apart, the turf will suffer incomplete irrigation, and parts of the turf will begin to suffer from drought stress. Similarly, a sprinkler system that does not provide enough water pressure to each sprinkler head will fail to provide sufficient moisture to the turf and will bring on health problems in the turf. To avoid these problems, design your sprinkler system so that it offers sufficient spacing between and maximum water pressure for each sprinkler head.

Clogging

• After the sprinkler system is designed and installed, you may encounter problems when using the system. To avoid clogging requires that you regularly test your water's pH and test for the presence carbonates, iron and sulfur. If these elements are present in your water, clogs are prevented using either filters or chemical treatments, but it is critical to filter water at every point at which water enters the sprinkler system. Chemical treatments typically use chlorinated compounds that prevent sulfur and iron bacterial slimes. Only use chlorinated compounds approved for chemical treatments of sprinkler systems.

Runoff

• Just as too little water pressure can create health problems for your turfgrass, too much water pressure can saturate your lawn with too much water. If the amount of water exceeds the ability of the turfgrass to absorb that water, water runoff can quickly become a problem. Water applied to your lawn can pick up remnants of chemical treatments used in the irrigation system, fertilizers and pesticides applied to your lawn, grass clippings and leaf debris, and other materials that could potentially contaminate water systems.

Cost Problems

• The goal of using a sprinkler system is to provide all the benefits of manually watering the lawn but in a more cost-efficient and time-efficient manner than simply applying water to the turf using a garden hose. If a sprinkler system is well designed, well maintained, if clogs are prevented, and if the system is checked regularly for any mechanical problems, you can ensure the cost effectiveness of the system without letting costs spiral out of control. However, if these preventative steps are omitted, the costs of repairing and maintaining the sprinkler system can quickly reduce the overall cost effectiveness of the system.